BERLIN — German authorities have launched proceedings against Telegram that could result in the messenger app’s operators being fined for failing to abide by laws requiring social media sites to police their users’ actions.

German magazine Der Spiegel has reported that officials believe use of the Telegram app has reached a threshold where it can be treated in the same way as Facebook, Twitter and TikTok when it comes to requiring cooperation with German authorities.

A Justice Ministry spokeswoman confirmed Monday that authorities have written to Telegram’s operators in the United Arab Emirates over its failure to provide a channel for raising complaints and a contact person in Germany.